まるで

Japanese

Alternative spelling
丸で

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) まるで [màrúdé] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [ma̠ɾɯ̟de̞]

Adverb

まるで • (marude) 

1. (chiefly in the negative) at all; in the slightest

   Synonym: 全然(ぜんぜん) (zenzen)

   • 1914, 夏目漱石 [Natsume Sōseki], chapter 49, in こゝろ [Kokoro], 下 先生と遺書 [Sensei's Testament]:

     私(わたくし)は奥(おく)さんと向(むか)い合(あ)うまで、そんな言葉(ことば)を口(くち)にする気(き)はまるでなかったのです。

     Watakushi wa Oku-san to mukaiau made, sonna kotoba o kuchi ni suru ki wa marude nakatta no desu.

     Until being face to face with Oku-san, I hadn't intended to say such words at all.

2. just like, so to speak, as though, as if

   まるで夢(ゆめ)を見(み)ているようだ。

   Marude yume o mite iru yō da.

   It is as if I am dreaming.

   • 2003, Enrico Maxwell: page 76 in Chapter 42 ("Aubird Force") of Hellsing volume 6

     まるで煉(れん)獄(ごく)。

     Marude rengoku.

     Just like purgatory.

Usage notes

• This term is often spelled in kana.